A request came down from Malcolm MacDonald. The intensity of white emigration was causing great headaches for London, and the Governor-General. Thus, the newly minted Prime-Minister was drawn in to help improve the situation.
Technically, Mzee still works for the man, so he cannot refuse. Besides, Malcolm was responsible for hastening parliamentary elections that culminated with his inauguration.
He cannot be refused!
"Hmm…"
Mzee mulls while tapping the armrest.
It is not surprising settlers are fleeing the country. Africans welcome it with the dawn of independence. In fact, Mzee would prefer not to rule over them he has no ideological control.
He wishes nothing at all to do with the matter, but still remains the biggest obstacle to progressing the situation.
Aside from Malcolm, Mzee is not trusted by any other settler. An earlier colonial governor responsible for his incarceration described his probable rule as a descent into 'darkness and death'. A sentiment that stuck strongly with settlers.
As a time-leaping, body snatching spirit(?), their fears are not completely unfounded.
In the original history, Mzee proved right their paranoia by turning dictator in later years. His predecessor even more so.
In Mzee's defense, he isn't averse to the white man. In London, he even married a white woman! But that never endeared him to settlers in Kenya.
White settlers dread vengeance from newly independent Africans for years of colonial injustices. The Mau-Mau in particular are a nightmare.
Their plea to the colonial government was to maintain an apartheid system as is the case in South Africa.
It is clear, no amount of politicking would ease the situation. Mzee's government need only tackle the problem with a well, formulated plan. As for drawing that plan, that seems like a job for parliament.
Fortunately, the new bicameral parliament is set to hold its first sitting. Mzee's party won the greatest number of seats. We could use his influence to put forward a motion to systematically deal with the issue, and the overarching problem of land redistribution.
Of course, I intend to dictate some finer points of this bill. (This line should be included in the many ways not to lead a fledgling democracy.)
Also, this matter involves Oginga.
He is the man settlers chose to love, and the one Mzee would love to hate. His support could rope in all other significant house representatives.
I hope we can do this(dictating) together.
It's been a week since he took office. He should be settled in by now.
"Duncan, get me the Deputy Prime Minister."
"Yes sir."
The secretary on standby quickly exits. Another, a woman takes his place.
Over half the settler population remain, most being held back by colonial government immigration policies. When finally let through, we are poised to experience a huge economic slump next year.
Even in twenty first century Kenya, brain drain persists. Youths depart the country en masse seeking better opportunities outside. The irony; many end up living better as immigrants than as citizens in their own country.